Ali talks about fire safety planning

EEA Board member, Ali Dane discusses the importance of fire safety.

"Now that we’re finally out of the seemingly relentless wet and windy weather that April and May brought, we’re complaining that the ground is hard and how badly we need rain!

However, the dry spell has given us a chance to get the first crop of hay cut and into the barn, ready for another winter (let’s not think about that!).

The horses are all out on good grass now, bills are significantly lower than during the colder, darker months, and I finally feel like I’m catching up with myself (both financially and mentally) after a tough few months.

Having a baby meant that I was teaching less from January to April and had more staff on the yard, so my profits took a hit. Thankfully though, we’re back on track now and ready for a busy summer.

Something that I’ve managed to complete before the totally hectic months kick off, is all my risk assessment reviews, including annual staff fire safety training. Fire safety is a topic I’m extremely hot on, having had a fire here, through no fault of our own - a spark from the brakes on a trailer travelling down the road behind our stables ignited some very dry conifers and consequently our fence.

As luck would have it, there were three staff members on the yard at the time of the fire, and we called the fire brigade, evacuated the stables and slowed the spread of the fire in a calm and organised manner. 

The fire didn’t reach the stables because we didn’t panic, we followed our training, and we communicated well. That feeling of utter relief when the fire brigade had extinguished the fire will never leave me, but I am so grateful that I had a fire plan in place for us to follow.

Of course, this is also relevant if an employer provides accommodation. All living quarters should be safe to live in and conform to current fire safety regulations. Gone are the days that it was acceptable for groom’s accommodation to just be a small attic above the stables, with only one entrance, no windows and a little gas heater. Employers ARE being taken to court over these issues. But aside from the threat of court, is someone’s life worth gambling with? Could you live with yourself if you chose cost savings over making a workplace or accommodation safe and the worst happened as a result?  

So get those risk assessments done. It could save a life.

Ali"

The Equestrian Employers Association has been created to help employers of all sizes of business to be compliant, thereby helping you to protect your business. Your team are key to the performance and development of your business which is why looking after them is so important.